Accessibility

 

Access Pass

U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability (does not have to be a 100% disability) may get a free, lifetime pass that provides admittance to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by five Federal agencies, including Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Access Passes are available online and at Lake Mead's entrance stations.

Required documentation: A copy of ID issued by an authorized U.S. agency such as your driver's license, passport or state-issued ID and documentation that proves permanent disability such as:

• Statement by a licensed physician (Statement must include: that the individual has a PERMANENT disability, that it limits one or more aspects of their daily life, and the nature of those limitations.)
• Document issued by Federal agency such as the Veteran's Administration, Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income
• Document issued by a state agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency

 

Services

Captioning and Audio Descriptions

The park film shown at the Lake Mead Visitor Center is shown with open captioning. Most videos on the park website include closed captioning and audio descriptions.

Large Print and Braille

Large print and Braille versions of the official Lake Mead Map & Guide are available at the Lake Mead Visitor Center. You may also download a copy in a Braille Ready Format (BRF).

Service Animals

In October 2018, the NPS issued a policy memorandum regarding the use of service animals by persons with disabilities in national parks. The revised policy aligns the NPS policy with the standards established by the Department of Justice and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Only dogs are classified as service animals, and they must perform a specific task that assists a person with a disability. Emotional support or comfort animals are not service animals. Like pets they are not allowed in buildings or in areas where signs indicate dogs are prohibited. See frequently asked questions about service animals in national parks.

 

Accessible Historic Railroad Trail. Boulder Beach and Hemenway Harbor marina in the background.

NPS

 

Accessible Activities

Beaches

Accessing the beaches is challenging. The water may be a long distance across rough ground from parking lots. This is due to changing water levels. However, there are some beaches where you may pull your car straight up to the water's edge such as the Special Events Beach, Canoe/Kayak Beach, and PWC Beach at Boulder Beach, Nevada Telephone Cove north of Laughlin, NV, and Cabinsite Cove north of Katherine Landing. These areas are unpaved and uneven, but they do have accessible restrooms.

Boating, Canoeing, Kayaking

If you have your own watercraft, you can enter the water using one of our many concrete launch ramps. Each has an accessible courtesy dock. Designated accessible parking spaces are located nearby. Due to fluctuating water levels on Lake Mead, although parking is nearby, parking areas are often unpaved and uneven.

Our marinas rent watercraft, ranging from houseboats to fishing boats to paddlecraft. Each marina has designated accessible parking spaces and gangways to access their fleet. Please reach out to them directly to see which boats they offer that meet your needs. They can also provide detailed information about the accessibility of their docks and fuel stations.

Camping and Lodging

At Lake Mead National Recreation Area, you can camp in both the frontcountry or backcountry or book a room at one of our in-park motels.

All developed campgrounds in the park have accessible sites. These sites include firm surfaces, accessible picnic tables and fire pits, and nearby access to the restrooms.

A permanent disability plate or placard issued by a government agency is required to park and camp in an accessible campsite.

Camping in the backcountry is rugged. The roads and parking areas are unpaved and uneven. 

The park motels and cabins are managed by park concessioners. Please contact them directly to make reservations and share any requirements you may have.

Dining and Picnicking

There are many picnic areas throughout the park. All have designated accessible parking, smooth paved pathways to the picnic tables and some accessible tables that allow room for wheelchairs.

Additional dining options are available at marinas and park stores. These range from sit-down restaurants to fast casual restaurants to grab-and-go snacks. Please reach out to our park concessioners directly to see if they can accommodate your needs.

You may also enjoy a lunch cruise aboard the Desert Princess. Lake Mead Cruises sails it's Mississippi-style triple-decker paddlewheeler to the Hoover Dam and back. The ship has accessible access and restrooms and an audio narration, describing the history of Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam.

Fishing

The park has three accessible fishing piers at Hemenway Harbor, Willow Beach and Katherine Landing.

Katherine Landing: There is a paved level trail from the parking area out to the fishing pier. (Please call 702-293-8990 for the status of this fishing pier. It has been closed after being damaged by a storm.)

Willow Beach: This fishing pier has paved ramp access from the parking area and is open.

Hemenway Harbor: While the fishing pier itself is accessible, the approach from the parking area is made of soft sand, loose rocks, and gravel. Fluctuating water levels makes getting to the pier challenging.

Fish cleaning stations are available near all concrete launch ramps. Plans are in place to improve the routes to each station and to adjust the hydrants, so they may be operated with a closed fist and no more than 5 pounds of force.

Park Information

General park information is available at the Lake Mead Visitor Center. 

Large print and Braille versions of the official Lake Mead Map & Guide are available at the Lake Mead Visitor Center. You may also download a copy in a Braille Ready Format (BRF).

Some of the exhibits within the visitor center incorporate tactile interactivity. 

Scenic Views

You can take in the beauty of Lake Mead National Recreation Area from your car along one of our scenic drives on Lakeshore Road and Northshore Road. There are numerous scenic overlooks along the way with accessible picnic tables and restrooms.

If you don't have time for a long drive, pull into the Lakeview Overlook. From here, you'll see a panoramic view of Lake Mead. There are also waysides at this location that provide visual descriptions of the view.

Trails

The only universally accessible trail in Southern Nevada is located within Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The Historic Railroad Trail is located near the park visitor center. It includes a firm 10-foot wide surface of stabilized fine gravel with a typical grade of 0.9% and a maximum grade of 5%. The typical cross slope is 1.5% with a maximum slope of 5%.

The River Mountains Loop Trail is another trail that might interest you. It is paved and travels 30+ miles to Henderson and Boulder City. The flattest part of the trail is near the Boulder Beach Campground. From here, you can see beautiful views of Lake Mead.

Visit our hiking page for details about other trails.

 

Improving Access For All

In 2019, the National Park Service prepared an Accessibility Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan for Lake Mead National Recreation Area. While physical accessibility to park facilities and programs was generally found to meet accessibility standards, there is still room to improve. If you have additional questions, please call us at 702-293-8990 or send us an email.